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Your new Medicare card, things to know

Your new Medicare card, things to know

Social Security is still busy sending out the new medicare cards in the mail. You can click this link to get an email when your new card has been put in the mail new Medicare cards. This will give you an idea when to expect receipt of the new card. This way you can keep an eye on the mail for it. Many of the new cards have already been sent out. If you have not yet received your new card, do not worry. It will get to you in the very near future.

If you need to get your new Medicare card ID, you can click the following link to create a free Medicare account. From there you will be able to get your new Medicare number without having to wait for it to arrive in the mail. CLICK THIS LINK TO CREATE A FREE MEDICARE ACCOUNT.

Once your new card arrives in the mail, you can use it right away. There are a few things you need to do once your new card arrives:

Always Carry your new Medicare card with you.

Keep in mind that your doctors and health care providers are aware that you will be receiving it and they will want to see your new Medicare ID when you come into their office for care.

Destroy your old Medicare card. You no longer need the old card for anything, so the best thing to do with it is to carefully and completely destroy it. You do not want anyone getting your information.

Keep your Medicare Advantage Plan card. If you are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, (an HMO or PPO), you will continue to use your Medicare Advantage Plan ID card when you use a health care provider. Please keep in mind you will also need to carry your new Medicare card, because you health care providers will ask to see it. Remember, these new cards are safe to carry with because they do not use you social security number anymore.

If you have a Medicare Drug plan card you will also need to keep that with you.

Do not worry that your new Medicare card looks different than the old one. Your Medicare coverage and benefits have not changed. If you would like more information about the new Medicare card you can click here.

If you need help with choosing Medicare plans, please contact our office. You can reach us either by phone at (203)796-5403 or by email at [email protected]

How Much is Medicare part B

When you are getting close to the age of 65, you might get a little anxious thinking about what steps you need to take to get you Medicare benefits. One of the questions you probably have is How Much is Medicare part B. . If you are retired and living on a fixed income this is an important question to ask. Medicare Part B covers your necessary medical services and supplies. In 2018 the standard cost for Medicare Part B is $134.00 a month for an individual.

According to federal law, some higher-income beneficiaries will have to pay a higher premium for their part B coverage. This law also applies to your Medicare prescription drug coverage. Less than 5% of people will be affected by this law. Therefore, the majority of people will not have to pay the additional premium.

The document in the link below is for 2018; but the IRMAA limits are set to be the same for 2019. They will most likely go up substantially in 2020.

How Much is Medicare part B – Social Security will use your most recent tax return

Your most recent tax return will be used to decide if you need to pay the higher premium. The amount is based on your (MAGI) modified adjusted gross income. Your MAGI is your total adjusted gross income along with your tax-exempt interest income. If you are filing as single and your MAGI is more than $85,000,you will pay a higher Part B premium. In the event that you are married, filing jointly and your MAGI is greater than $170,000 you will pay a higher Part B premium. If you will have to pay a higher premium, you will receive a letter from Social Security with the reason for the higher cost as well as the amount you will have to pay.

When you have income that is not over the set income limits you will not have to pay any additional premium.

If your income has gone down, due to a change in your life, you can contact Social Security and explain it to them. They will need proof/documentation of the new information and may adjust your payment amount accordingly. We list some examples of life changes below:

You or your spouse stops working or has reduced hours.

An unforeseen event causes you to lose an income-producing property.

Recently you were either married, divorced or widowed.

You have lost income from a pension plan.

In the event that your income has gone down, you can use Form SSA-44 to ask for an adjustment. You can find the form on line at www.socialsecurity.gov/forms/ssa-44.pdf.w.

If you would like more information or help with signing up for Medicare, please contact the office. You can reach us either by phone at (203)796-5403 or by email at [email protected]